Black Locust

Robinia pseudoacacia

Characteristics

• Fairly tall tree, 40’-80’• Bark brownish black, coarsely ridged and

furrowed bark• Pinnately compound with up to 19 leaflets• Stipular spines on younger trees• White flowers• Fruit resembles brown pea pod• Orange and yellow color in fissures of bark

Ecology

• Exotic that has been widely planted

• Seen in town, agricultural areas

• Tolerant to a wide range of soils

• Nitrogen fixer

• Twigs and inner bark toxic

• Wide spreading root system makes them good for erosion control